Former DuBois city manager John ‘Herm’ Suplizio returned to the Johnstown federal courthouse on Thursday morning for a change of plea hearing in his public corruption case.
Investigators accused Suplizio and former city staffer Roberta Shaffer of embezzling approximately one million dollars in both public and nonprofit funds.
On Thursday, Suplizio entered guilty pleas to two offenses one count each of embezzlement/program theft and money laundering.
Authorities first charged the pair in November of 2023 after an investigation into the alleged misappropriation of approximately $700,000 from the City of DuBois.
Investigators alleged that the money was used for large cash withdrawals, personal credit card payments and vacation expenses.
The original state charges were later withdrawn after federal prosecutors secured an indictment alleging theft, fraud and money laundering offenses.
In May, Shaffer pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement and one count of unlawful monetary transactions.
While some charges were dropped against Shaffer, as part of her plea deal, federal officials say that she did admit responsibility.
As for Suplizio, his case had been delayed several times prior to the plea hearing being scheduled.
According to the plea agreement, Suplizio will likely serve 27 months in prison, followed by three years of probation. However, the judge is formally awaiting to accept the deal until a pre-sentence investigation report is completed.
According to prosecutors, he is also ordered to pay an additional $500,000 in restitution, on top of the approximate $90,000+ that was already seized from his assets and other payments.
Following the plea deal, both current and former DuBois city officials shared their thoughts on the outcome of the case.
Current DuBois City Manager Joseph Fleming said in part, “since assuming my role, our administration will continue to strengthen internal controls, reinforce professional standards. and ensure that all operations reflect the public trust placed in local government. Our focus remains on serving our residents, maintaining stable operations and moving the community forward.”
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday was also asked about the plea deal, stating that the prosecution of corruption cases such as this one helps to restore public trust in local government.
“It is absolutely crucial when you have someone who steals any amount of money, let alone six hundred twenty thousand dollars from your local community, to be held accountable. If people aren’t held accountable, then public trust erodes.”
Despite the outcome of the case, Suplizio was not without his supporters as former city council member Diane Bernardo issued a lengthy statement, defending the former DuBois manager.
In a statement handed to us at the courthouse, Bernardo explained that she served 15 years with Suplizio, arguing that his policies were positive for the city and that all members of DuBois city government who served with him “operated with integrity.”
She concluded by claiming that all city funds were “spent appropriately.”
According to prosecutors, Suplizio will officially be sentenced in federal court on the morning of November 23rd while Roberta Shaffer is scheduled to be sentenced on September 22nd.